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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • War Hero

John Basilone

John Basilone was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and a World War II combat hero.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

John Basilone was a U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and World War II hero. He earned the Medal of Honor at Guadalcanal and was killed at Iwo Jima.

What it is

John Basilone (1916–1945) served in the U.S. Army before joining the Marine Corps in 1940. He became famous for his machine-gun leadership during the Guadalcanal campaign, where his extraordinary heroism earned him the Medal of Honor.

Why it matters

Basilone is the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. His story has been told in military histories and dramatized in series like HBO's The Pacific, cementing his legacy as a symbol of Marine courage.

Key details

Born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in New Jersey, Basilone was killed on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima (February 19, 1945). He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism that day.

In short

  • Only enlisted Marine in WWII with both Medal of Honor and Navy Cross
  • Earned Medal of Honor at Guadalcanal in 1942
  • Killed in action at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945
  • Portrayed in HBO's The Pacific

Quick questions

Who was John Basilone?
John Basilone was a U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and World War II hero best known for his actions at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
How did John Basilone die?
He was killed in action on 19 February 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Did John Basilone receive the Medal of Honor?
Yes. He received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Guadalcanal campaign in 1942.

Sources

  1. USS Basilone — https://ussbasilone.org/john-basilone-biography/
    Supports: Birth, death, Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and death at Iwo Jima.
  2. MarineParents.com — https://marineparents.com/marinecorps/john-basilone.asp
    Supports: Birth information and summary of service and awards.
  3. Home of Heroes — https://homeofheroes.com/heroes-story/john-basilone/
    Supports: Early life and biographical background.
  4. Naval History and Heritage Command — https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/us-people/b/basilone-john.html
    Supports: Enlistment, Guadalcanal service, Medal of Honor recognition, and death at Iwo Jima.
  5. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — https://news.va.gov/63552/veteranoftheday-marine-corps-veteran-john-basilone/
    Supports: Background, death at Iwo Jima, and posthumous Navy Cross.
  6. Arlington National Cemetery — https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/Medal-of-Honor-Recipients/World-War-II-MoH-recipients/John-Basilone
    Supports: Medal of Honor citation, combat actions, and death in action.
  7. U.S. Marine Corps University — https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Medal-of-Honor-Recipients-By-Unit/Sgt-John-Basilone/
    Supports: Official Marine Corps account of Guadalcanal actions and death at Iwo Jima.
  8. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374463/
    Supports: John Basilone’s portrayal in The Pacific.